Balder's Lament

Balder's Lament is Folkearth's 12th studio album and the first without Ruslanas "Metfolvik" Danisevskis (Ravenclaw, Folkodia), who passed away in the summer of 2013.

The recipe for Folkearth's music has basically stayed the same over the years; an epic and pompous mixture of Folk and Viking Metal. It's undeniable that there is a huge market for the kind of stuff they churn out on their releases. What I like about this album is how carefully crafted it is and how the best elements of Folk and Viking Metal are combined. It's easy to listen to Balder's Lament because it somehow sounds so familiar but, at the same time, it is somehow "too safe." The band may have taken a few shortcuts in order to appeal to the most fans the record sounds a teeny bit calculated, with the both the good and bad that implies.

However, it's Metfolvik (R.I.P.) who shines brightest this time. His brutal, grunting vocal parts, very similar to Tomi Koivusaari's (on Amorphis' The Karelian Isthmus album), are simply excellent. Too bad this album represents his swansong.

If you have enjoyed Folkearth before, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't check out Balder's Lament too.